MLB14_Masthead_TOC

2014 Boston Gameday HQ

BASEBALL PREVIEW
@GameDayHQ
GameDayHQ
Editor in Chief Ming Wong
Design Director Kengyong Shao
Contributing Writers
Alex Bracetti
Michael Bradley
Jon Cooper
Brian Giuffra
Darryl Howerton
Andy Jasner
Jorge Martin
David Williams
Production Managers
Ashley Dethlefsen
Will Kilcommons
Alycia McCarthy
Jacklyn Zuch
A GameDay HQ publication
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reserved. Copyright 2014. Editorial and publication
headquarters are at 519 Eighth Avenue, 25th Floor,
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COVER PHOTOS BY: JOHN WILLIAMSON
(2); JOE ROBBINS; BRACE HEMMELGAM;
ANDY HAYT; ROB TRINGALI (2); ROB
LEITER; EL NUEVO HERALD; TIM
UMPHREY; OTTO GREULE JR.; JIM
MCISAAC; JOE SARGENT; BRIAN D.
KERSEY; MICHAEL IVINS/BOSTON
RED SOX; ROB CARR (2); G. FIUME (2);
CHRISTIAN PETERSEN; MIKE MCGINNIS;
JAMIE SABAU; FRED VUICH; RONALD C.
MODRA/SPORTS IMAGERY; ROBERT BECK;
THOMAS B. SHEA/GETTY IMAGES
Contents
2014 Season Preview
Until October rolls around, the Boston Red Sox will continue their
reign as champs, but as another spring is upon us, every team
has a renewed sense of hope over the next 162 games. While
some stand a better chance—hopefully the team you have a vested
rooting interest falls under that category—theoretically, every team
has a shot at autumn glory—at least in April.
Perfect Cinco
In the Moneyball era of baseball, scouts and GMs have put blinders
on for the player who can get on base and hit for power, virtually
ignoring the rare baseball demi-god, the five-tool player who can hit
for average and power, leave a vapor trail in his wake when he runs
the bases or field, field every ball that ventures in his territory and
gun down an overambitious baserunner with his arm. The five-tool
player is back in a big way and they certainly command every bit of
your attention whether they have a bat or glove in hand.
First-Class Ticket
The 2014 Hall of Fame class is exactly that: class. Led by a
pair of aces that defined an era of arms superiority in Atlanta,
Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine were the pitching backbone
of an incredible run by the Braves that was managed by
fellow inductee Bobby Cox who guided the team to an
unprecedented 14 straight division titles. Joining the ATL
trio is a hitter whose slugging prowess matched his size,
Frank Thomas, who put a big hurt in his fair share of pitchers
throughout his 19 years in the big leagues. Lastly is Joe Torre
and Tony La Russa, two of the game’s greatest tacticians who
managed teams to multiple World Series victories.
His Way or the Highway
In an exclusive Q&A with the newly
minted Hall of Famer with the fourthmost
wins by a lefthander (305),
Tom Glavine talks about his stubborn
approach to the game that would lead
him to the most hallowed honor, his
longtime teammate and fellow inductee
Greg Maddux and playing for HOF
manager Bobby Cox.
Recoding Baseball
Baseball’s rules date back over a century ago and along with it,
some of the lesser-known “rules” of the game. Like the largely
unchanged official rulebook, the unwritten code of baseball has
remained the same. But should it? We explore a few of the “rules”
from the point of view from an old-school baseball lifer and a new
jack player to see if any of them hold any credence or should some
things be amended.
The Winning Formula
We can’t guarantee you’ll win your
fantasy baseball league this year,
but if you follow our month-bymonth
guide to the long season,
we can ensure that you’ll be in the
thick of your league from April
through September.